Tweet 2010 Kia Soul – Minneapolis, Minn. Photo by Randy Stern Should we continue to excuse the current economic climate for anything pertaining to the automobile industry? I’m sure we all have an opinion about this. The facts are staggering with auto sales down as high as 50% and more for some manufacturers. Companies are …
Tweet 2008 Audi R8. Photo by Randy Stern Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something…else. Where do I begin with my brief visit to the Auto Show at the Minneapolis Convention Center this evening? How about…something old? There are plenty of familiar vehicles on the floor I hate to be jaded, but I begin to …
Personally, I have not owned a car in 13 years. There's always a desire, but this desire is being explored a bit. If you consider the rising cost of automobile ownership and the instability of gas pump prices, my hesitation could be justified. Certainly, car sharing programs and the occasional rental car may fill that void as a money saving way to evade the trappings of car ownership.
The hometown auto show can still be welcoming…sometimes.
This year's Twin Cities Auto Show packed the Minneapolis Convention Center with plenty of eye candy for everyone. Though devoid of the concepts seen at the major shows, there were plenty of surprises to be had on the show floor. Overall, one goal was accomplished – it brought every brand sold in the state of Minnesota (and Western Wisconsin) under one roof.
I was there on the first day, Saturday March 10th, as well as Media event on Monday March 12th. Both days were needed to take in photography and catch up on vehicles I saw in Chicago. It was also a chance to interface with local friends, industry folks and to see who in the local media would cover this event.
The event also engaged my links back to my core readership through a preview in Lavender magazine and promos through two local community organizations – the North Country Bears and the Minneapolis Movie Bears. Tickets were given away to a lucky few readers and supporters in drawings held at two events. In all, this Auto Show was to increase engagement with the readership.
The show offered more for the attendee.
TweetThis auto show season was the absolute best in my writing career. It yielded more than I had expected, which is always a good thing. To wrap up both the Chicago and Twin Cities shows, I went through my notes to parse out what I would consider the best vehicles I have seen and experienced …
TweetSo far, I covered two auto shows this year – and I have no regrets attending either one! In the last part, I gave some of my friend’s opinions about the products on show at this year’s Twin Cities Auto Show. It was great to have Kevin on board through most of my time at …
TweetThe local auto show is a source of connectivity with the retailers and its potential customers. Whether or not any of these customers were ready to buy in the next 2-3 months, it is only a big dreamscape for auto lovers of every stripe. This year marks the 40th anniversary of my first auto show …
TweetI have a lot to tell here, so bear with me… Starting on Saturday, March 12, the auto show circuit will return to Minneapolis. The Twin Cities Auto Show (formerly called the Minneapolis-St. Paul Auto Show) will start up at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The show will be larger than before with new exhibits for …
TweetIn the Twin Cities, regular gasoline is now averaging $3.54 a gallon. Diesel is sitting between $3.75 and $3.95 a gallon. Have we panicked, yet? It depends on where you’re at financially. It also depends on your commute patterns. There are plenty of variables here between holding on to your old economy and embracing a …